Manufacture of metallic tubes.



Patented Apr. 9, |901.

xH. PERRINS.

MANUFAGTUBE 0F METALLIC TUBES.

(Application led Dec. 17` 190017 4l sheets-sheet (No lModel.)

I Al VEN TDI? ,4m/Mers YH: Nenms serias co. moraumo.. WASHINGTON, n. c.g

Patented Apr. 9, |901.

n.' Hemus. MANUFACTRE 0F METALLIC TUBES.

(Application led Dec. 17, 1900.)`

4 Sheets*Sheet 2.

(No `Model.)

ATTORNEYS No.' 671,563. Y Patented Apr. 9, Ism.

H.A PERBINS. y

` MANUFACTURE 0F METALLIC TUBES. A (Application medmc. 17, 1900.1

Quo maal.) 4 sheets-sheet @IIN f wmfssq l am 1.,

No. 67|,56s. Patented Apr. 9,4 |90I.

,M renms. j MNUFAQTUBE 0F METALLIC TUBES.

(Application filed Dac. 17, 1900.)

(No Model.) 4 sham-skim 4.

` WWESSES; Y

ATENT Prion.

HARRY PERRINS, OF STOURBRIDGE, ENGLAND, ASSIGNOR TO PERRINS, LIMITED, OFWARRINGTON, ENGLAND.

MANUFACTURE OF METALLIC TUBES.

' SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent N o. 671,563, dated April9, 1901.

Application filed December 17, 1900. Serial No. 40,209. iNo model.)

T0 all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, HARRY PERRINS, a subject of the Queen of GreatBritain and Ireland, and a resident of The Hawthorns, Wollaston,Stourbridge, in the county of Worcester, England, have invented cert-ainnew and useful Improvements Relating to the Manufacture of MetallicTubes, (for which I have iiled an application in Great Britain, No.5,425, bearing date March 22, 1900,) of which the following is aspecification. This invention consists of improvements relating to themanufacture of iron and other metal tubes, my object being to providemeans for the more effectual, convenient, and expeditious product-ion offinished tubes from hollow blooms or shells.

Referring to the four accompanying sheets of explanatory drawings,Figure l is a sectional side elevation showing my improved means forfeeding the hollow bloom or shell through the gapped or pilger rolls, bywhich it is stretched in length and reduced in thickness to the requiredlinished dimensions. Fig. 2 is a sectional end elevation of the forwardratchet-box, and Fig. 3 a similar View of the -rear ratchet-box shown,at Fig. l. Fig. 4 is a side elevation, and Fig. 5 an end elevation,showing my means for preventing movement of the tube and mandrel whenreleased from the feeding-machine. Fig. 6 is a sectional side elevation,and Fig. 7 a sectional end elevation on the line l 2, Fig. 6, showing,to a larger scale, one form of coupling or connection between themandrel and the pushbar of the feeding-machine. Fig. 8 is an elevationrepresenting a group of gapped or pilger rolls as` arranged tandemfashion for the production of a tube having varying diameters.

The same reference-letters in the different views indicate the same orsimilar parts.

The hollow bloom or shell A, Fig. l, for the production of a tube isplaced on a mandrel and subjected to the action of a pair of rolls B Bof the well-known gapped type, which act intermittently upon a shortlength of the bloom to be rolled, the said bloom being graduallyreciprocated between the rolls, so that the point of operation isgradually advanced from one end to the other. The rolls are driven inthe directions indicated by the arrows l and 2 in any ordinary manner.During the period of rotation in which the smaller radii-of the rollscoincide the bloom or shell is advanced through the rolls by myfeedingmachine, (shown at Fig. 1,) while during the period of rotationin which the larger radii of the rolls coincide the bloomIor shell, withthe mandrel and the part of the machine supporting the same, arepropelled in the direction indicated by the arrow 3; but during suchreturn movement the pressure of the rolls upon the portion of the bloomor shell A between them causes the metal to flow along the mandrel, (inthe direction opposite to that indicated by the arrow 3,) thus reducingits thickness to the required size and correspondingly lengthening thetube. The bloom or shell A, as shown at Fig. l, has been partiallyreduced and elongated bythe gapped rolls. The finished portion of thetube is shown to the left hand of the center of the rolls, while theportion of the bloom or shell remaining to be operated upon by the rollsis shown to the right hand.

The mandrel C is detachably connected with the push-bar D, which has asocket-like projection E fixed to its forward end. Such socket-likeprojection E (with a modified form of mandrel attachment) is also shownin the larger-scale views at Figs. 6 and 7. The detachable connectionbetween the mandrel C and the push-bar D, as illustrated at Fig. l, isformed by a screw-thread around the rear portion of the mandrel and acorrespondinglyscrewed socket or aperture in the front end of the bar.

The push-bar D is free to slide within bearings formed by a travelingbed or carriage F, movable on wheels along the base of a box or troughG. The required movement ofthe said carriage is eiiected by ahand-wheel, as H, having on its shaft a pinion J for gearing in a rackformed on or secured to the upper end of the trough G. Around the rearpart of the push-bar D, I form slow-pitch spiral grooves orscrew-threads to engage a corresponding ratchet-n ut carried in apawl-box K, arranged to permit of the rotation of the nut in the onedirection only.

Between the collars L, L, L2, and L3, mount- IOO ed on the push-bar D, Idispose the respective spiral springs M, M', and M2. The collars arefreely mounted on ,the push-bar, which can thus slide through them. Thecollar L abuts against the fixture l on the bar itself and the collar L8against the ratchet-box K. During the action of the larger radii or theVWorking `,surfaces of the rolls B B upon the hollow bloom or tube-shellA such shell,with its mandrel C, and the push-bar D are, as hereinbeforeindicated, propelled in the direction of the arrow 3, and during suchmovement the springs are compressed; but when the gapped portions orsmaller radii of the rolls (which do not act upon the tube-shell)coincide with each other the springs react upon the pushbarD and propelit, together with the mandrel C and tube-shell A, in the reversedirection to that indicated by the arrow 3 until arrested by stops, as aa', arranged in the pass between the rolls B B and forming part of thehousings or framing of the rolls. The carriage F is held stationaryduring the return movement of the push-bar D by means of the handwheelH, hereinbefore referred to; but during the forward movement of thepush-bar j under the action of the springs a slight for- Ward or feedingmovement is imparted to the carriage by the hand-wheel H. In this mannerthe complete tube is gradually advanced through the rolls during itsreciprocation.

No rotary motion is imparted to the pushbar D during its return movement(or its movement in the direction of the arrow 3) by the Working ofthegrooved rear part through the nut in the ratchet-box K, as the nutitself is then free to rotate; but during the forward stroke under theimpulse of the springs the nutis prevented from turning by the pawl 7c,Fig. 3, of the pawl-box K, and thus a slight rotary movement is impartedto the push-bar and the connected mandrel with the tube thereon. By suchautomatic turning of the tube the rolls are caused to act around theentire circumferential surface instead of upon only two sides of thetube, as would occur without such turning.

After the-hollow bloom or tube-shell has been nearly passed rightthrough the gapped rolls B B' and so converted into a nished tube it isnecessary to disengage the mandrel from the push-bar in order to effectthe reduction and stretching of the rear end of the tube-shell. For thispurpose I form a quick screw-thread around the fore part of the push-barD (having its direction of spiral opposite to that of the slow-pitchscrew-thread at the rear end of the bar) and pass the same through acorresponding nut having ratchetteeth formed around its periphery andmounted in a box N. Normally the said nut is free to rotate within theboX as the screwed pushbar passes through it; but afte'r the hollowbloom or tube-shell has been nearly passed right through the rolls thenut is locked or prevented from rotation by the pawl-lever n, which yisthen thrown into engagement with the ratchet-teeth of the nutby means ofany suitable lever device, as O. When the nut is thus locked orprevented from rotation,the pushbar on each return stroke (or movementinthe direction indicated by the arrow 3) will have' such a rotarymovement imparted to it, while the tube and its-'mandrel are grippedtightly between the rolls, as to cause it to unscrew and retreat fromthe mandrel C., In this manner the socket-like projection E (which is inrigid attachment with the bar D) is carried back at each stroke asufficient distance to clear the rolls and enable the same to bite andoperate upon the rear end of the metal forming thetube-bloom, and thusthe entire bloom is passed through the rolls as ainished tube. Theconical nose or forward end of the said socket-like projection E (whichis shown more clearly at Fig. 6) is made at such angle or degree ofsharpness that the reduction in diameter between the larger and thesmaller ends is greater than the reduction that occurs in the passbetween the plger-rolls in a corresponding peripheral length as thetapering or working portions of the said rolls approach each other. Thusif any part of the conical nose should, near the completion of thereduction and stretching of each bloom, be pushed in contact with therolls no seizure will occur, as the succeeding portions of theperipheries of the rolls will advance upon a portion of the nose of sucha smaller diameter as will prevent it from being affected or eventouched by the rolls.

Instead of providing for an automatic movement of the push-bar and itssocket-like projection relatively to the mandrel, as hereinbeforedescribed, I sometimes provide for the entire release of the mandrelfrom the pushbar, preferably in the manner illustrated at Figs. 6 and 7.In this modification the mandrel is secured to the push-bar within thesocket projection E by means of a rotatable holder, as P, locatedbetween the socket projection and an attachment-piece d, fixed to thepush-bar D. The head of the mandrel is of an oval or similar shape, andthe eye through the rotatable holderP and the aperture in the forwardend of the attachmentpiece d have a similar shape to ad mit the saidhead; but when the said head c is in position as shown at Figs. 6 and 7the holder P is rotated through a right angle by means of thehandle-piece p, and its aperture is thus so disposed, as illustrated inthe figures, as to prevent the withdrawal of the mandrel. Whennecessary, however, the mandrel can be at once withdrawn if thehandle-piece p is so operated as to dispose the eye through the holder Pin the same position as the aperture in the attachment-piece cZ-that is,to make the larger sides of the apertures in both parts coincide witheach other.

Before releasing the mandrel from the holder P for the purpose ofeffecting the reduction and stretching of the rear end of the tube bloomor shell the top roll is raised to IOO IIO

.relieve the pressure on the tube, and it is then necessary to providemeans for preventing the action of the bottom roll (upon which the tuberests) from moving both tube and mandrel. For this purpose I arrange africtional grip, as shown at Figs. 4 and 5, to hold the forward or thereduced and stretched portion of the tube beyond the rolls. The gripconsists of a pair of tube embracing or gripping pieces Q Q',respectively connected to the levers q q', which are both linked to thelever Q2 on opposite sides of its fulcruin or pivot pin, as shown. Thesaid lever Q2 is operated as required by means of the foot-lever Q3,upon which the pressure is maintained throughout the period in which itis necessary to grip the tube. On removal of the footpressure thecounterweight q2 effects the release of the gripping-pieces from thetube.

After the release of the mandrel from the holder P the portion of itwhich was inclosed by the socket projection E will receive and supportthe metal iowing from the rear end of the bloom as it is passed throughthe rolls by hand or otherwise and so reduced to the required diameterand correspondingly stretched or lengthened.

In the production of tubes having stepped or variable diameters, such asthe tube A shown in-course of manufacture at Fig. 8, I feed the bloom,With its supporting-mandrel, through a pair of pilger-rolls, as B B', inthe manner hereinbefore described; but beyond the said pairof rolls B Band in line with the same l arrange other pilger-rolls, as B2 B3 and B4B5, Which act upon the portions of the tube already reduced andstretched by the rolls B B'. The portions of tube passing through therolls B2 B3 and B4 B5 are preferably not internally supported by amandrel, and thus at such portions the diameter of the tube is reducedin the manner shown. The tube is supported externally while passingthrough the tandem series of rolls by means of small rollers, as R. Thevarious sets of pilger-rolls are all positively driven in any ordinarymanner.

When the tubes are required to have internal iin-like projections, thermandrels employed in their manufacture are provided with correspondingchannels or depressions, into which the metal is forced by the action ofthe rolls. In like manner if external projections are required theworking surfaces of the rolls are provided with channels or depressions.

Having'thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is-

l. In machines for the manufacture of metallic tubes from hollow bloomsor shells, the combination consisting of a pair of gapped rolls rotatingin opposite directions, bloomarresting stops fixed in the pass betweenthe said rolls, a reciprocating push-bar, a mandrel detachably connectedto the said pushbar, and a conically-nosed socket-piece in attachmentwith but projecting from the pusharrestng stops fixed in the passbetween the said rolls, a slow-pitch spirally-grooved or screwthreadedreciprocating push-bar, a ratchet-nut through which the said push-barreciprocates, a pawl-box permitting the nut to rotate in one directiononly, a mandrel detachably connected to the said push-bar and aconically-nosed socket-piece in attachment with but projecting from thepush-bar, said socket-piece being thus supported independently of themandrel and inclosing a portion of the said mandrel, substantially asdescribed.

3. In machines for the manufacture of metallic tubes from hollow bloomsor shells, the combination consisting of a pair of gapped rolls rotatingin opposite directions, bloomarresting stops fixed in the pass betweenthe said rolls, a quick-pitch spirally-grooved or screw threadedreciprocating push bar, a ratchet-nut through which the said push-barreciprocates, a paWl-box permitting the nut to rotate in one directiononly, a mandrel screwed within the forward end of the pushbar, and aconically-nosed socket-piece in attachment With but projecting from thesaid forward end of the push-bar, said socket-piece being thus supportedindependently of the mandrel and inclosing a portion of the saidmandrel, substantially as described.

4c. In machines for the manufacture of metallic tubes from hollow bloomsor shells, the combination consisting of a 'pair of gapped rollsrotating in opposite directions, bloomarresting stops fixed in the passbetween the said rolls, a reciprocating push-bar having a quick-pitchspiral groove or screw-thread along one part of it and a slow-pitchspiral groove or screw-thread along another part of it,ratchetnuts through which the said screwed parts respectively reciprocate, pawl-boxespermitting the respective nuts to rotate in one direction only, amandrel screwed within the forward end of the push-bar, and aconicallynosed socket-piece in attachment with but projecting from thesaid forward end of the push-bar and inclosing a portion of the saidmandrel, the direction of spiral of the said quick and slowscrew-threads of the push-bar being in opposite directions,substantially as described.

5. In machines for the manufacture of metallic tubes from hollow bloomsor shells, the combination consisting of a pair of gapped yrollsrotating in opposite directions, bloomarresting stops fixed in the passbetween the said rolls, a push-bar, a mandrel detachably connected tothe said push-bar, a conicallynosed socket-piece in attachment with butIOO IIO

IZO

projecting'from the push-bar, said socketpiece being thus supportedindependently of the mandrel and inclosing a portion of the saidmandrel, push-bar-supporting wheeled carriage, carriage-operativehand-Wheel and rack-gear, and push-bar-propelling springs disposedbetween a portion of the carriage and a fixture on the bar itself,substantially as described.

6. In machines for the manufacture of metallic tubes from hollow bloomsor shells, the combination consisting of a pair of gapped rolls rotatingin opposite directions, bloomarresting stops fixed in the pass betweenthe said rolls, a reciprocating push-bar, a mandrel detachably connectedto the said pushbar, a conically-nosed socket-piece'in attachment withbut projecting from the push-bar and inclosing a portion of the saidmandrel, tube-gripping pieces, a foot-lever, and linkage between thefoot-lever and the said gripping-pieces, substantially as described.

7. In machines for the manufacture of metallic tubes from hollow bloomsor shells, the combination consisting of a tandem series of pairs ofgapped rolls, bloom-arresting stops fixed in the pass between theforemost pair of rolls, a reciprocating push-bar, a mandrel detachablyconnected to the said push-bar, a conically-nosed socket-piece inattachment with but projecting from the push-bar, said socket-piecebeing thus supported independeutly of the mandrel and inclosing aportion of the said mandrel,and tube-,supporting rollers, the-rolls ineach pair of the said series rotating in oppositie directions,substantially as described.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of twowitnesses.

HARRY PERRIN S.

Witnesses:

` 'EDWARD MARKS, HARRY DAVIS.

